EVIL EYE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The EVIL EYE is my recent acrylic to canvas collection. It is based on a belief that a curse can be cast by a malevolent glare, threw out history cultures have used different talismans to protect themselves from the curse. This collection is my interpretation of the various talismans used in the Middle East and Asia..
EVIL EYE IN ANCIENT EGYPT
Ancient Egyptians lived in fear of the Evil Eye. They believed its evil would affect babies and small children. In order to protect their children the Egyptians created the "buckle of Isis" charm, which bore the color red in order to represent the Gods.
EVIL EYE IN TURKEY
Ancient Greece and Rome were among the earliest civilizations that believed in the superstitions of the evil eye. Any disease that was caused by an unknown origin was believed to be brought about by the evil eye. It was thought that the gods and goddesses were punishing those that had too much pride.
In order to counteract this, the Greeks would use many charms including amulets, incense and crosses, strings, nails, gunpowder, bread, salt, garlic, rings, buckles and even indigo. They would even burn bear fur in some towns!
In Greece and Turkey they have a charm that wards off the bad luck of an evil eye called the “Nazar Boncugu” or the “Nazar Boncuck” – the blue glass eye charm. It protects the person who wears it by reflecting theblue or green eyes.
EVIL EYE IN EASTERN CULTURES
The Chinese have an interesting way of warding off evil. They spit over their shoulders. They also have Pa Kua, which is the tradition of hanging a mirror in order to reflect the bad energy back at the person committing the negative gaze.
EVIL EYE IN ANIMALS
Animals
EVIL EYE IN RELIGION
Even today the Evil Eye is regarded with superstition among many religions. It is alluded to several times in the Torah, the Bible and the Koran. All three regions acknowledge its existence even today.
Many early Jewish people along with some orthodox modern Jews believed in "avin ha'ra," which is also associated with thing such as envy.
In the Koran, the prophet Muhammed warns against the ills of the evil eye and says that people must take a bath in order to counteract its effects.
EVIL EYE IN LATIN AMERICA
The belief in the evil eye, or "mal del ojo," spread to Latin America due to the colonization and conquest of the continent by the Spanish and the Portuguese. Many people often wear protective jewelery or go to see a healer in order to ward off bad energy.
